Borax & Salt Mixture to Kill Fleas

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The age-old battle with fleas continues to rage. Our beloved cats and dogs bring them in unsuspectingly, and the pests quickly set to work to breed and take over every square inch of carpet and bedding. While many commercial flea pesticides are available to eradicate the nuisance, common household products such as salt and Borax may be just as effective.

Why It Works

Salt attracts moisture -- meaning it can kill fleas merely by dehydrating them. Borax, or sodium borate, is toxic to bugs when ingested or inhaled. Either substance works alone to kill fleas, but together they provide a double whammy against your flea problem.

Easy Application

Vacuum your carpet thoroughly to remove as much dirt, fleas and eggs as possible. Dispose of the bag or dump out the canister immediately. Open a container of fine table salt and sprinkle it lightly and evenly on all areas of the carpet and any cloth-covered furniture. After applying the salt, put on a face mask and sprinkle the Borax over the same area.

Wait for It

Keep your children and pets away from the affected areas to avoid the risk of ingestion or inhalation of the Borax. After 12 hours, vacuum the areas thoroughly, again wearing a face mask to protect yourself. Dispose of the vacuum contents.

About the Author

Lori Lapierre holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in public relations/communications. For 17 years, she worked for a Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business and starting a family. She is a regular freelancer for "Living Light News," an award-winning national publication. Her past writing experience includes school news reporting, church drama, in-house business articles and a self-published mystery, "Duty Free Murder."